Page 49 of Finding Parker

Instantly, he pulled his hand away from his mouth, “Can I speak? You’re done? Open discussion time?”

I inhaled deeply, and spoke upon exhaling, “I uhhm. I suppose...”

“Yes,” I said nervously.

“Say it again, slowly,” he said as he held his visibly shaking hands at his side.

“Say it again? What?” I asked, confused.

“What you said about Victoria. Say it again, please, slowly,” he said excitedly.

Now feeling more nervous than before, I wondered if he misunderstood what I had previously said. I lowered myself into the seat and cleared my throat.

“I, uhhm. I want to marry Victoria,” I said softly.

He began to bounce again.

And then he screamed a blood curdling scream.

“Downes! Get in here, we have an announcement. Parker has an announcement. Parker and I have an announcement. Hurry the fuck up!” he screamed.

I had never heard Kenton curse that I could recall. I wasn’t really ready to talk to Downes regarding this matter, I felt as if there needed to be more one on one time with Kenton. Although I was proud of what Victoria and I had and how I felt, I wasn’t prepared to tell the world, at least not just yet. Kenton, on the other hand, obviously felt much differently.

“No. No Downes. Not yet, Kenton,” I shook my head lightly as I stood from my seat.

I no more than spoke, and Downes rushed into the room.

“What is it, Mr. Ward?” his eyes darted throughout the room as if they were on swivels.

“False alarm,” Kenton huffed.

With all of the bouncing, Kenton was clearly out of breath. Still in shock over the cursing, screaming, Kenton’s level of excitement, and not being certain of what his actual thoughts were regarding my announcement, I stood nervously and smiled.

“Mr. Ward? I think I’ll go see a movie if it’s alright,” Downes raised his eyebrows and spoke in a stern tone.

“Oh Christ, seriously? Uhhm. Jesus, Downes, my memory has escaped me…,” Kenton paused, placed his hands on his thighs, and stared at the floor.

Still heaving for his next breath, Kenton looked up and smiled, “Five Easy Pieces.”

“Very well. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me,” Downes sighed, turned toward me, and smiled.

After Downes exited the room, Kenton rolled his eyes and sat down into his chair as he attempted to catch his breath. As his breathing slowed, he took a deep breath, exhaled, and grinned. Confused, I stood and stared at Kenton.

“At Downes insistence, we agreed to have a phrase only he and I would know. If he asked and I didn’t provide the answer, he would know I was in truly in trouble. With all of the screaming and such, I’m certain he developed wonder. Okay, where were we?” Kenton asked as he began to rub his palms together.

I walked to the loveseat and lowered myself into the cushion. Proudly, I sat up in my seat and arched my back. After clearing my throat lightly and pausing for effect, I spoke.

“I said I wanted to marry Victoria.”

He looked down into his lap and raised his hands to his face. After a moment, he looked up and used his index finger to wipe tears from his face. After alternating from cheek to cheek several times, he stopped crying and wiped his hands on his shorts.

“My apologies for the outburst earlier, I was excited. Now that things have settled, let me see,” he hesitated and rubbed his palms back and forth rapidly.

“Fatherly advice. You need fatherly advice. Let me collect my wits. Dear God, I’m making a fool of myself. Parker, you’ve made me a mess,” he sighed as he stood from his chair.

Slowly and methodically, he began to pace the room.

“Something as sacred as marriage should always be done as a result of what one feels in their heart, and never out of feelings of necessity or sorrow,” he stopped pacing and looked in my direction.